Mine-car tipple



Jan. 14, 1930. w. F. DEADERICK 1343,953

MINE CAR TIPPLE Filed May 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

WM. 61 BY {M ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 14, 1930. w. F. DEADERICK MINE CAR TIPPLE Filed May 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v IN V EN TQR.

1930- w. F. DEADERIQK 1,743,958

- MINE CAR TIPPLE Filed May 1'7, 192 8 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 alga A TTORNEYS.

BY Maw Jan. 14, 1930. w. F. D EIADERICK MINE CAR TIPPLE Filed May 17, 1928.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 14, 1930 WILLIAM FRENCH DEADERICK, or WIND ROCK, Tennessee MINE-CAR TIPPLE Application filed May 17, 1928. Serial No. 278,445.

This invention relates particularly to the kind of tipples which receive a mine car and tilt it forward endwise for'discharging its load forward and downward across or through the front end of the mine car.

The object of this inventionis to produce such a tipple in a form adapted to act automatically for receivingthe car from a rail track, dumping it, and then restoring it to the same track for returning on that track or switching to a companion return track.

This apparatus contains provision for movingthe car forward and downward into dumping position by the aid of the weight of the car'plus the weight of the load of coal or other material in the car, that movement being invopposition to and exceeding the action of a counter-weight, and the action of the counter-weight exceeding the gravity resistance of the empty car to returning upward into position on the rail track. With thecounter-weight is associated a dash-pot or other cushioning means for retarding the action of the apparatus, whereby jarring or jolting may be prevented.

In front of the endof the ordinary rail track, which may be built the same as ordinary mine car tracks are built, is a downward curved track extension having one end so joining the other track and extending for-' ward and downward until its inclination is suflicient to bring the car into such slanting position as will allow the material in the car to slide out by gravity, after'the forward end of the car has been opened. In a part of the drawings, the curved track has at each side a lower rail and an upper rail between which the wheels ofthe car must run during the forward and downward movement of the car.

In the accompanying drawings, r Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofthe apparatus, mine car being in position on the main rail traick 'readyto, enter the curved track;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, apart ofthe fram- ,Li' ing and the counter-Weight and dash-pot being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the car in the lower portion on the curved track and inclined for dumping and the forward door being held 019 Fig. 4 is an upright transverse section on thfet line, 4:4, of Fig. 2, looking toward the a Fig. 5 is a plan of the apparatus, including a part of themain track and a part of the switch track;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation of the counter-weight and dash-pot and a fragment of the suspending rope;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line, 7 7, ofFig. 2, looking toward the right;

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views illustrating the rocking structure adapted to engage the forward wheels of the car instead of the forward axle. V

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, of the drawings, A, A are main track rails resting on cross ties, A which rest on sills or sleepers, A These sills extend forward beyond the ends of the rails, A, and are separated far enough to allow the mine car and the curved dumping track to pass between them. These sills are to be supported in' any suitable manner.

B, B are the rails of a switch track which is located beside and suitably connected with the main track to receive empty cars and conduct them toward the right away from the tipple.

The forward end of the main rail track is so met by the curved track, C, to receive and guide the wheels, E of the car, E, whereby the wheels are guided for forward movement in a curved course conforming to the curvature of the track, C. The track, G, is stationas ary. In the form shown in the drawings, each side of that track is formed of a lower metal angle member, C and an upper metal angle member, C each angle member having one flange in an upright plane and having the so other flange extended horizontally toward the path of the car. At each side of the structure, these angle members are oined by riveting or similar means to three long radial bars,

C and two short radial bars, C The bars, as 0*, are only long enough to overlap the upright flanges of the angle members, while the long radial bars, C extend to a base, C seated on across sill, C, which has its ends supported on longitudinal, sills, (3?. It is, loo

to be understood that this curved structure is to be given such additional anchoring and bracing as may be needed to give it stability. On the cross sill, C, and between the base member, C are seated two bearings, F, in which rests a shaft, F which forms part of a rocking structure, F which combines a base frame, F and an approximately upright frame, F, and a diagonal frame, F This rocking structure is narrow enough to permit rocking between the members of the curved track and between the long radial bars, C3, and between the wheels, E of the car, E. The upper end or angle of this rocking structure rises high enough to bear two hooks, F, turned toward the direction of approach of the car, E, and standing in the path of the front axle of the car, so that when the car moves forward from the main track onto the curved track, the front axle will engage those hooks and push them forward along with the forward movement of that axle, whereby the rocking structure is rocked or tilted until the car has reached its lower limit on the curved track, the car being impel-led by its own weight and the weight of coal 'or other material in the car. That limit is determined by the limit of travel of the wire rope, G, which is coupled to a turn-buckle, G The turnbuckle is coupled to a horizontal crosspin, F, which joins the meeting ends of the frames, F and F The rocking structure is in the form of a bell crank having its fulcrum on the horizontal cross shaft, F and the cross-pin, F being one point of engage ment and the hooks F, being another point of engagement for the rocking of that structure. That rope extends over a pulley, G and downward to a counter-weight, G to which it is attached. That weight is light enough to be overcome or be lifted by the tendency of the car to move forward on the curved track, C, when the car is loaded. But when the car is empty, the action of the counter-weight is sufficient to move the carupward to the upper limit of the curved track and thence back onto the main track rails, A, this return movement of the car being effected by reversing the rocking movement of the rocking structure, F the hooks, F, remaining in engagement with the forward axle of the car. In connection with this action, it is to be observed that the counter-weight is so connected with the rocking structure as to give the counter-weight advantage of increasing leverage while the car is moving downward on the curved trackand to give it the advantage of large leverage when the car is tobe moved backward from its lower position, that advantage dimenishing during the upward movement of the car. This will be understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3; In 1, the cross-pin, F, at the junction of the frames, F and F, is near a line extending from the shaft,F whiehrennet/he crum for the rocking structure) and the pulley. Thus the lever through which the rope, G, acts is the distance from the cross-pin, F to that line. In that position, the action of the counter-weight through the rope is at its minimum. When the car engages the hooks, F and pushes those hooks forward, the rocking structure is gradually tilted, and the cross-pin, F is gradually raised, whereby the length of the aforesaid lever is gradually increased until the length indicated by the position of the cross-pin, F, in Fig. 3 is attained. Thus, while the increase in slant of the curved track, C, increases and allows increased gravity action for downward movement of the car, the resistance oii'ered by the rope, G, and the counter-weight, G to the tilting of the rocking structure is progressively increased. When the ear is empty, the action of the counter-weight through the maximum leverage is s'ufiici'ent to move the car upward. During such upward movement of the car, the gradual change in the inclination of the curved track, G, corresponding- 1y reduces the resistance to return movement. That reduction is accompanied by an approximately corresponding reduction in the leverage through which the counter-weight, G and the rope, G, act in turning the rocking structure back to normal position.

During the forward and downward movement of the car, the door, E is opened antomatically for the forward discharge of the load from the car.- At each side of the car, an arm, E, has its rear end hinged to the car body and has its forward end secured to the upper part of the door. At each side of the car, a brace, E, has one end secured to the adjacent arm, E while its other end is secured to the adjacent end edge of the door. Between the ends of the upper edge of the door, two hooks, E, are fixed on the door and extend forward. An approximately upright frame-form hanger, E is hinged on a horizontal line at E to any stationary support. On its lower end the hanger supports a crossbar, E", which is adapted to be in position to receive the hooks, E during the forward movement of the car on the curved track. On the hanger, E is fixed a horizontal crossarm, E longer than the width of the curved track, C. At each end of the arm, E a rope or similar tension member, E, has one end attached to the hanger while its other end is attached to a yoke, E extending crosswise under the main track and secured to the rope, G, near the pulley, G Near the cross-arm, E, a contracting coiled spring, E", is inserted between the cross-arm and the adjacent end of the rope, E, to give elasticity to the connection between the hanger, E, and the rope,

When the rocking structure, F is in its normal position, the position shown in Fig. 2, the rope, G, has been drawn toward and over the pulley, G and the counter-weight, Gr", has reached its lower limit. 3 This movement of the rope, G, has'drawn the rope, E, in the same direction, whereby the hanger, E has been swung in the same direction. Thus the cross-bar, E of the hanger has been brought intb position to allow the hooks, E of thecar door to pass above that crossarm when the forward part of the car reaches that cr0ssarni. Then, during the'continued forward movement of thecar, the car door will push the hanger, E in the direction in which the car is moving; but the upper support of the hanger, E?, is so positioned as to cause the lower end ofjthe hanger to swing pendulum fashion inja path turning away from the path of the car, whereby the door is lifted and carried "with said cross bar. During the forward movement of the car, the rocking structure, F is tilted or rocked by engagement with the car. That tilting of the rocking structure causes the movement of the rope, G, in the direction of movement of the car, whereby the rope, E, is allowed to move in the same direction to permit, the hanger, E to swing simultaneously with the forward movement of the door, E 2, The spring, E is placed on the tension member, E, to allow yielding to reduce "shock when the door hooks, E and the door, E meet the cross-bar, E

Below the countenweight, is a dashpot, H, in which is a hollow piston, H having a stem, H which is jointed to thecoun= tor-weight by a coupling, H In the lower part of the piston is a check-valve, H, placed to open during downward movement of the piston. lntheklash-pot'is any suitable liq uid, such as oil, for retarding ,the upward movement of the piston, whereby the upward movement of the counter-weight is retarded or modified, the valve, H being closed. The valve, IP, is to be proportioned to cause less cushioning when the piston isreaching its lower limit. It is to be understood that there will be enough space around the piston to allow some oil to pass. Thus the dash-pot serves as a cushioning means for limiting jarring or jolting when the car, E, reaches its limits, particularly its lower limit.

In operatiomthe loaded cars are moved forward over the main track, A, oneat ati ne, each car being pushed sufliciently or being given sufiicient forward momentum to enter the upper part of the curved track, C, and move downward on that track in engagement with the rocking structure, said structure, by the aid of the counterweight, resisting the downward movement. As above described,

during such downward movement the car door. E is opened for the discharge of the load from the car, E. When thathas been done, the downward pull on the rockmg structure has beenso much reduced as to allow that structure, by the aid of the counter weight, to pull the carbackward and upward 0n the curved track and deliver it on the forward end of the main track with suflicient momentum to cause the car to travel on the main track and then pass the switch for delivering the car on the switch track, B,thus making room for another loaded car to move forward to enter the curved track for discharge and return, as already described.

The main track is preferably inclined toward the curved track. The switch track is preferably inclined away from the main track. As above stated, the empty car is returned with enough force to make it pass the switch and go out on theswitch track.

The loaded cars are to be delivered one-byone to the tipple as fast as the empty cars leave the tipple. This may be done by means of such automatic feeders as are now used in connection with tipples.

'My improved apparatus does not contain a movable track; and the apparatus requires no power other than the power exerted by the moving loaded car.

In such an apparatus built and operated by me five cars can be dumped in about one minute.

i In the form illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9, the hooks, F are omitted from the upper part of the rocking structure, F and a cross arm, F is secured to that part of the rocking structure, its ends extending outward at each side into the plane of the adjacent car wheels. On each end of the cross-arm is pivoted a shoe, F", having a curved face, similar to the face of a brake shoe, and directed toward the approaching'front wheels, E of the car, E. When the front wheels engage these shoes, therocking member resists the forward move ment of the car, in the manner already described in ,connection with the engagement between the hooks, Ffland the front axle of the car. The shoes, F exert a braking action on these front wheels. This action is added to theretarding act-ion exerted by the rocking structure dueto the pull of the counterweight, G through the wire rope or similar tension member, G

The upper curved track rails, C may be omitted, if the lower part of the curved track is not made so steep as to require the upper rails to prevent the car from rotating forward on the hooks, F, or on the shoes, F.

I claim as my invention,

1. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward curved. stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, and yielding automatic means for engaging and braking the wheels of a car and restraining forward anddownward movement of the car along the curved track, the action of said restrain ing means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track.

2. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward curved stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, yielding automatic means for engaging and braking the wheels of a car and restraining forward and down, ward movement of the car along the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track, and means at the curved track for o ening the car door.

3. n a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track and a downward curved track meeting the end of the main track, yielding automatic means for engaging and restraining forward and downward movement of a car along the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track, and means connected with said restraining means and located near the curved track for opening the car door.

4. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward curved'stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, and yielding automatic means for engaging and braking the wheels of a car and restraining forward and downward movement of the car along the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track, the action of said restraining means increasing during downward move-- ment.

5. In a mine car tipple, the eombinaaen of car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, yielding automatic means for engaging and braking the wheels of a car and restraining forward and downward movement of the car along the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track, and means for controlling shock during the action ofthe restraining means.

6. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main rail track, a downward curved stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, a movable car wheel engaging member extending into the car path along the curved track, and yielding restraining means applied to said car engaging means, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly return the engaging means and the empty car backward over the curved track, whereby the car is returned to the main track.

7. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main rail track, a downward curved stationany track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, a movable car wheel engaging member extending into the car path along the curved track, yielding restraining means applied to said car engaging means, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome forward and downward movementof the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being suficient to forcibly return the engaging means and the car backward over the curved track, whereby the car is returned to the main track, and car door opening means at the curved track.

8. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main rail track, a downward curved stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follows'aid track extension whereby the course of the car is downward substantially parallel to track extension, a movable car wheel engaging member extending into the; car wheelpath along the curved track, and restraining means located under the mm track and applied to said car en.

gaging means, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome forward and downward movement of the loaded car a and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly return the engaging means and the empty car backward over the curved track, whereby the empty car is returned to the main track.

9. The combination with an approximately horizontal main track and a stationary downward-curved track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, of a movable member normally extending into the car wheel path in the upper part of the curved track to take movement along said path when engaged by a car wheel moving from the main track onto the curved track, and means for yieldingly resisting such movement with a force insufficient to prevent the loaded car from moving downward on the curved track and sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and back onto the main track.

10. The combination with an approximate ly horizontal main track, a switch track, a stationary downward-curved track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, of a movable member normally extending into the car wheel path in the upper part of the curved track to take movement along said path when engaged by a car wheel moving from the main track onto the curved track, and means for yieldingly resisting such movement with a force insuflicient to prevent the loaded car from moving downward on the curved track and sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and back onto the main track and thence onto the switch track. I

11. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track and a fixed curved track meeting the end of the main tracln a rocking structure reaching into the car path on the curved track and adapted to be engaged by the car moving from the main track onto the curved track, and yielding means attached to the rocking structure for resisting the movement of the rocking structure by the action of the moving car, such resistance being insuflicient to prevent the tilting of the rocking structure during the forward movement of the loaded car and sufficient to forcibly return the rocking structure and the empty car.

12. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a a main track and a fixed curved track meeting the end of the main track, a rocking structure reaching into the car path on the curved track and adapted to be engaged by the car moving from the main track onto the curved track, yielding means attached to the rocking structure for resisting the movement of the rock ing structure by the action of the moving car, such resistance "being insufficient to prevent the tiltin'g'of 'the' rocking structure during the forward movement of the loaded car and sufiicient to forcibly return the rocking structure and the empty car; and a door-controlling hanger inoperative relation with the rocking structure.

13. In amine car'tipple, the combination of a main track and afixed curved track meeting thee'nd of the main track, a rocking structure reaching into the car path on the curved track and adapted'to be engaged by the car moving from the main track onto the curved track,"yieldingmeans attachedto the rocking structure for resisting the movement of the rocking structure by the action of the moving car, such resistance being in- .sufficient to prevent the tilting-of the rock ing structure during the forward movement oft-he loaded car and sufficient to forcibly return the rocking structure and the empty car, and a dash-pot in operative relation with said yielding means. y

i 141 In a mine car tipple, the combination of amain rail track and a downward curved track meeting the end of the main track, the curved track being concentric to an axis below the meeting endsof the curved track and the main track, a member arranged to rock on said axis and extend intothe car path on the curved track and engage the forward and downward moving car, and yielding restraining means a plied tofsaid car engaging means, the action of said restraining means being in'sutficientjto overcome forward and downwa'rd movementof the loaded car and the action of said restraining means being sufficient to return the engaging means backward over the curved track and forcibly return the empty car to the main track.

" 15. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main rail track and a downward curved rack meeting the end of the main track, the curved meek being concentric to an axis below the meeting ends of the curved track and themain track, a member arranged to rock on saidlaxis and extend into the car path on the chrv'ed track and engage the forward and downward moving. car, and a counter weight applied to said car engaging means, the action ofsaid counter-weightbeing insuffic'ient to overcome forward and downward movementof theloaded car and theaction of the counter-weight being sufficient to return the engaging means backward overthe curved track and forcibly return the empty car tofthe main track.

161 Inamine car tipple, the combination of amain track, a downward curved stationary tr ack extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheels of a car and cause said Wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, and yielding automatic means for engaging the forward wheels of a car on the curved track and restraining forward and downward movement of the car along the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufiicient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and onto the main track.

17. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward inclined stationary track extension meeting the end of the main track and adapted to engage the wheel of a car and cause said wheels to follow said track extension whereby the course of the car is bodily downward substantially parallel to said track extension, and yielding automatic means for engaging and braking the wheels of a car and restraining forward and downward movement of the car along the inclined track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means bein j sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the inclined track and onto the main track.

18. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward curved stationary' track extension meeting the end of the main track, and yielding automatic duplcx means for engaging and restraining forward and downward movement of a car along the length of the curved track, the action of said restraining means being insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restraining means being sufficient to forcibly move the empty car backward over the curved track and ontothe main track.

19. In a mine car tipple, the combination of a main track, a downward curved sta tionary track extension meeting the end of the main track, and yielding automatic means for engaging and braking two wheels of a car and restraining forward and downward movement ofthe car along the curved track,

the action of said restraining means being' insufficient to overcome the forward and downward movement of the loaded car and the action of the restra'inmg means being sufficient to forcibly move the, empty car backward over the curved track'and onto the main track.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name, this 12th day of May, in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.

WILLIAM FRENCH DEADERICK. 

